People tend to romanticize some of the production capabilities of birds "back then". Actually, our Standard bred Rhode Island Reds, which we also show with great success, are just our farm birds the other 10 months of the year. No, they don't lay like a sex-link hybrid, but they didn't "way back then" either. Do they lay well? Yes, their laying is very good and consistent with their breeding.
I grew up caring for 250 White Leghorns, beginning in the late 1950's. The Standard bred Leghorns will still produce an amazing amount of nice white eggs and do so in a thrifty manner, especially if the particular strain you choose has carefully noted that trait. I don't think you'd be disappointed in egg production in any fashion. Standard bred poultry is what the breeder creates, insists upon, and pushes to achieve. Best of luck to you in your pursuit of high quality poultry.
I grew up caring for 250 White Leghorns, beginning in the late 1950's. The Standard bred Leghorns will still produce an amazing amount of nice white eggs and do so in a thrifty manner, especially if the particular strain you choose has carefully noted that trait. I don't think you'd be disappointed in egg production in any fashion. Standard bred poultry is what the breeder creates, insists upon, and pushes to achieve. Best of luck to you in your pursuit of high quality poultry.
